Avila v. United Investors, Inc. (2004)

Avila v. United Investors, Inc. (2004)

Ring represented Tenant Avila whom was behind in paying his rent to landlord United for an apartment in Chicago. United filed an eviction suit and sought about 1.5 years of back rent from Avila, who paid his rent on a sporadic basis. While the eviction case was pending and before the Cook County Sheriff had served Avila with the complaint and summons, the landlords agents went to Avilas apartment, told him Get the —- out of here and then grabbed the tenants keys off his dresser. Avila left and was homeless for the next 67 days until Ring sought an injunction against the landlord to allow him back into the apartment. Avila claimed emotional distress but no lost or damaged property. Landlord denied its agents appeared or took the keys and contended that Avila could have come back if he wanted and gotten a duplicate key from management. After an 3 day jury trial the jury awarded $85,441 to Rings client for the wrongful eviction. The Landlord settled shortly after the denial of post-trial motions and also paid substantially over and above the verdict amounts plus Rings attorney fees.